MR. P. A. MTIUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state how long John Lavin, of Ballinaford, has been held a prisoner in Sligo Gaol; what was his offence; what was the order made in his case; and when will he be released.
§ MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how long John Lavin, of Corricknahorna, near Boyle, who is over seventy-three years of age has been detained as a prisoner in Sligo Gaol; on what charge was he committed to prison; and when is it proposed to release him.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThis man was committed to prison on the 7th May, 1901, for an unlimited period, for contempt under a Writ of Attachment issued by the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice. I have called for information as to the nature of the contempt, but have not yet received it. I cannot say when he will be released. The matter is not one in which the Executive can intervene.
§ MR. DILLONThen, can a man be kept in gaol for the rest of his natural life?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe rule is that any person so committed remains in prison until he has purged his contempt.